European Certification of the Thalys Control Command Signalling Onboard Unit

摘要

After years of preparation, Thalys trains were put in service on the high speed line in the Netherlands on December 13th 2009. Until that date Thalys had been running on conventional track since 1996. The most important preparation consisted of the modification of the train sets to build in ERTMS. The modification of the trains was set up as a joint project between the Thalys partners. Apart from the design and implementation of the modification, it was essential to organise the admission process in the four countries where Thalys is operated. It was decided to follow the European rules for conformity assessment to obtain the authorisation for placing in service. What was needed to comply with these rules?; what were the benefits?; and what were the risks that remained uncovered.